The Hard Land Part 33

Frank lashed his whip across the backs of the team, hurrying the horses into a fast trot as the train whistle echoed across the Bear River north of Cache Junction. Charlotte wrapped her right arm tighter around her baby sister and grabbed the wagon seat with her left hand. In the wagon box, Matilda Benson cradled Anna’s head in her lap. A moan escaped Anna’s lips, soft but loud enough for Frank to hear. It pierced him to his core, but the train was close, and Anna had to be on it. There was no time to waste.

Frank rushed to the ticket window as the train rattled across the bridge. “I need four tickets to Salt Lake City.”

“Eight dollars,” the clerk said.